For nearly 100 years, VCUarts has redefined art education — and we’re keeping up our reputation. We are consistently ranked one of the country’s top visual arts and design schools, nationally recognized for advancing and combining the arts with innovation and technology like no other school around.


We’re a public, nonprofit four-year art and design school, boasting the resources of a major research university. Located in Richmond, Virginia — one of the nation’s most artistic cities — we offer 18 bachelor’s degrees and 5 master’s degrees. We are a community of creators, performers and scholars dedicated to pushing boundaries and tackling challenges beyond traditional arts practices.

Close up of a ballet dancer's feet, one crossed over the other in dramatic lighting

Our Mission

VCUarts advances knowledge and student success. Centered on our students, we foster inquiry and innovation through engaged learning. With the curiosity and resources of a pioneering research university, VCUarts departments and programs expand the boundaries of new knowledge and emphasize creative expression and collaboration across disciplines. Every piece, project and performance celebrates the creativity of our community, the trust among our colleagues and the new perspectives our faculty, staff and students explore daily.

“There’s this boots-on-the-ground quality to VCUarts, an authenticity that exists among its students, its faculty and its staff where everyone is committed to the arts, working toward the success of their work and the school. ”

Carmenita D. Higginbotham Dean, VCUarts

VCUarts at a Glance

More VCUarts Fast Facts

Inclusion & Equity

VCU and the School of the Arts value and celebrate diversity in all of its forms. We support thoughtful, informed and inclusive action, and we are committed to empowering community values in which individuals of different perspectives, life experiences, cultural backgrounds and social identities feel safe and welcomed.
Explore Inclusion & Equity at VCUarts

Accreditation

Accreditation ensures that academic programs provided by institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. Accrediting associations develop rigorous evaluation criteria and conduct peer reviews on a regular basis. VCU is an accredited institutional member of:

Contact information for NASAD, NASD, NASM and NAST:
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248
(703) 437-0700